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MSP WELCOMES NEW JOBS BENEFIT FOR YOUNG

MSP for the Angus South Constituency, Graeme Dey, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that the new Job Start Payment will be introduced next spring.

The payment is a new devolved benefit to support young people with the cost of starting a new job after a period of unemployment.

The £250 payment – £400 for people with children – will help towards travel, clothing, lunches or other costs associated with work. It will be the eighth new benefit to be delivered by Scotland’s devolved welfare system, Social Security Scotland – which celebrates its first anniversary this week.

The benefit will be paid to eligible to 16-24 year olds starting a new job – averaging 16 hours or more over a 4 week period – following at least six months on Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit. Care leavers, however, will not need to have been unemployed for a full six months and will be eligible until their 26th birthday.

Around 5,000 young people could benefit from this financial support in the new payment’s first year.

Welcoming the announcement of a spring 2020 launch, Mr Dey said:

“I’m very pleased that this innovative new benefit will be introduced from next spring – the eighth to be delivered by this Scottish Government.

“Investment in our young people is central to bettering our country and society, and this support will help thousands towards improved prospects – assisting with initial costs of a transition into work.

“Short-term financial pressures prior to receipt of a first paycheque can be a real barrier to some, and with unemployment higher for under 25s this means too many are at risk of associated negative effects on their health – both mental and physical.

“With the UK Government’s cooperation, the Job Start Payment will go a long way in easing those pressures for many.”